Compassion is a leading child-focused Christian faith-based organization committed to releasing children from poverty through holistic development and compassionate service. As part of Compassion International, Inc., a global Christian child development organization headquartered in the United States, Compassion has, for more than seven decades, empowered children living in poverty by addressing their physical, social, economic, and spiritual needs. Guided by the mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name, Compassion operates with values of integrity, excellence, stewardship, discernment, and dignity. Its Christ-centered approach nurtures the whole child, enabling children to grow into healthy, responsible adults capable of breaking the cycle of poverty in their families and communities.
In Tanzania, Compassion began its ministry in 1999 and has grown into one of the country’s largest faith-based, church-driven, and child-focused development organizations. Compassion Tanzania is the Tanzania country office of Compassion International, Inc. and is registered as a Faith-Based Organization (FBO) under the Societies Act, Cap. 337 of the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania and regulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Working in partnership with more than 600 Child and Youth Development Centers across over 90 districts in 22 regions, Compassion collaborates with local churches to serve vulnerable children and their families. Through this network, the organization currently supports the well-being and development of more than 125,000 children and youth, delivering programs in education, health, livelihoods, child protection, and spiritual formation while strengthening communities through the leadership and involvement of local churches.
By partnering with churches, communities, government institutions, and like-minded organizations, Compassion Tanzania continues to advance holistic child development and contribute to sustainable and lasting transformation across the country.
What makes Compassion International Tanzania distinct is our integrated model that is Christ-centered, Church-driven, and Child-focused—three core pillars that work together to bring lasting transformation in the lives of children living in poverty.
This approach is not just a philosophy—it is a proven model that addresses both the immediate needs and long-term development of children, while strengthening families and communities in a sustainable and meaningful way.
We serve children from all backgrounds—regardless of ethnicity, tribe, religion, or social status. Our programs are open to all vulnerable children in need, and while we share the love of Christ, participation is never conditional on religious conversion. Every child is respected, valued, and cared for with dignity.
Christ Centered: We help the poorest of the poor, the children in greatest need, without ulterior motive because we are a “love thy neighbor” ministry. Jesus’ life and teachings shape our programs and guide all aspects of our ministry. We serve children and communities of all faith, race and ethnicity with love.
Church driven: We do all of our work through partnerships with local churches all around the world. Local churches are catalysts for community change, optimizing the mutual respect, resources and common purpose critical in caring for children in poverty. We work in partnership with local churches because we desire to equip the Church to fulfill its role as salt and light to the world.
Child focused: Through our holistic child development model, we blend physical, social, economic and spiritual care together to help children in poverty fully mature in every facet of life and transcend what is often a generational legacy of poverty. Communities often feel the positive impact of the “child-first” work our church partners do because what happens in the life of a child ripples throughout his/her environment, but we are unashamedly and singularly focused on children.